Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090283032 | HIGH PERFORMANCE KINETIC SPRAY NOZZLE - A nozzle assembly for a kinetic spray system includes a convergent portion, a throat portion, and a divergent portion, each cooperating together to define a passage therethrough for passing a mixture of powder particles suspended in a flow of a high pressure heated gas. The nozzle assembly further includes an extension portion attached to the divergent portion and extending to a distal end a pre-determined length from the divergent portion of the nozzle assembly. The extension portion permits a dragging force exerted on the powder particles by the flow of high pressure heated gas to act upon the powder particles for a longer duration of time, thereby permitting the powder particles to accelerate to a greater velocity than has been previously achievable. | 11-19-2009 |
20090285996 | HIGH PERFORMANCE KINETIC SPRAY NOZZLE - A nozzle assembly for a kinetic spray system includes a convergent portion, a throat portion, and a divergent portion, each cooperating together to define a passage therethrough for passing a mixture of powder particles suspended in a flow of a high pressure heated gas. The nozzle assembly further includes an extension portion attached to the divergent portion and extending to a distal end a pre-determined length from the divergent portion of the nozzle assembly. The extension portion permits a dragging force exerted on the powder particles by the flow of high pressure heated gas to act upon the powder particles for a longer duration of time, thereby permitting the powder particles to accelerate to a greater velocity than has been previously achievable. | 11-19-2009 |
20100010753 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPING MESH NETWORKS AND ESTIMATING AIR FLOW AROUND VEHICLE BODY SURFACES - A method for developing a mesh network for analyzing air flow around a surface of a vehicle body includes the steps of determining a plurality of estimates for a flow direction for the air flow for a plurality of locations around the surface and generating the mesh network based at least in part on the plurality of estimates. The mesh network comprises a plurality of mesh lines. Each mesh line is at least substantially aligned with the flow direction proximate a corresponding one of the plurality of locations. | 01-14-2010 |
20100019050 | Automatic Climate Control for a Vehicle - A system and method of operating an automatic climate control system for a vehicle is disclosed. The method may include determining a breath level air temperature in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; determining a mean radiant temperature in the passenger compartment; determining an average air velocity in the passenger compartment; determining a clothing level factor, and calculating an equivalent homogeneous temperature based on the breath level air temperature, the mean radiant temperature, the average air velocity and the clothing level factor; comparing the calculated equivalent homogeneous temperature to a desired equivalent homogeneous temperature; and adjusting an output of the automatic climate control system based on the comparison of the calculated equivalent homogeneous temperature to the desired equivalent homogeneous temperature. | 01-28-2010 |
20100122571 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING ENGINE OIL LIFE BASED ON VISCOSITY - A method and control module for indicating engine oil life includes a viscosity determination module determining a viscosity of the engine oil based on an engine oil pressure and engine oil temperature. The control system further includes a comparison module comparing the viscosity of the engine oil to a threshold and generating a warning signal in response to comparing the viscosity. | 05-20-2010 |
20110206965 | COMBINATION OF HEAT PIPE AND LOUVERED FINS FOR AIR-COOLING OF LI-ION BATTERY CELL AND PACK - A heat pipe is described. The heat pipe includes a heat pipe body containing a working fluid; and a louvered cooling fin adjacent to one end of the heat pipe body, the louvered cooling fin extending outward from a surface of the heat pipe body. Air-cooled battery packs containing the heat pipe are also described. | 08-25-2011 |
20110244293 | SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE - A secondary battery module includes a plurality of secondary battery cells each having a measureable temperature and each spaced apart from an adjacent one of the secondary battery cells to define a cooling channel therebetween. The plurality of cells includes a first one of the cells having a measureable first temperature and a terminal one of the cells having a measureable terminal temperature and separated from the first one of the cells by at least one other of the cells. The module includes a fluid flowable within each of the cooling channels and in thermal energy exchange relationship with each of the cells, and a housing defining an inlet channel disposed in fluid flow communication with each of the cooling channels and configured for directing fluid flow uniformly to each of the cooling channels, and further defining a plurality of inlet ports in fluid flow communication with the inlet channel. | 10-06-2011 |
20110244294 | SECONDARY BATTERY THERMAL MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND SYSTEM - A thermal management device for dissipating thermal energy from a secondary battery cell includes a first plate defining a first channel and a second channel spaced apart from the first channel, wherein the first plate further defines an inlet port in communication with the first channel and an outlet port in communication with the second channel and spaced opposite the inlet port. The device includes a second plate configured for thermal energy exchange with the cell and disposed in contact with the first plate to define a cross-flow channel, wherein the cross-flow channel interconnects the first and second channels. A thermal management system includes a cell having a first temperature, a fluid having a second temperature that is less than the first temperature, and the device. The fluid is conveyable from the inlet port to the outlet port via the cross-flow channel to thereby dissipate thermal energy from the cell. | 10-06-2011 |
20110244295 | SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE - A secondary battery module includes a plurality of secondary battery cells each having a measureable temperature and each spaced apart from an adjacent one of the cells to define a cooling channel therebetween. The plurality of cells includes a first one of the cells having a measureable first temperature, and a terminal one of the cells having a measureable terminal temperature and separated from the first one of the cells by at least one other of the cells. The module includes a fluid flowable within each of the cooling channels and in thermal energy exchange relationship with each of the cells. The module includes a housing having a surface defining an inlet channel disposed in fluid flow communication with each of the cooling channels and configured for directing the fluid flow to each of the cooling channels. The surface has a shape defined by a spline. | 10-06-2011 |
20110274957 | SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE AND COMPOSITE ARTICLE THEREOF - A composite article for dissipating thermal energy from a secondary battery cell includes a first graphite layer, a second graphite layer spaced away from and arranged parallel to the first graphite layer, and a metal layer sandwiched between and disposed in contact with each of the first graphite layer and the second graphite layer. The composite article has a thermal conductivity of greater than or equal to about 1,200 W/mK and an electrical conductivity of greater than or equal to about 10,000 S/cm. A secondary battery module includes the composite article and a secondary battery cell having a length and an average measurable temperature along the length during operation of the secondary battery module. The composite article is disposed adjacent and in contact with the secondary battery cell to thereby dissipate thermal energy from the secondary battery cell during operation of the secondary battery module. | 11-10-2011 |
20110293984 | Enhanced high voltage terminal cooling with a high thermal conductivity coating - A battery cell pack having improved heat transfer is described. In one embodiment, the battery cell pack includes a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell having an anode foil and a cathode foil; a pair of taps, the first tap attached to the anode foil and the second tap attached to the cathode foil; wherein at least one battery cell has a high thermal conductivity coating on at least one side of the anode foil, or the cathode foil, or both; or at least one of the taps has a high thermal conductivity coating on at least one side; or both. Methods of improving the heat transfer of battery cell packs are also described. | 12-01-2011 |
20130037252 | SMART HVAC SYSTEM HAVING OCCUPANT DETECTION CAPABILITY - A smart HVAC system adapted for selectively regulating fluid flow into a space generally includes an HVAC system including at least one active vent, a preferably variable blower fluidly coupled thereto, and at least one sensor associated with each vent, wherein the sensor is operable to cause the associated vent to shift between opened and closed conditions, and/or preferably the blower output to change, when an occupant is autonomously detected within at least a portion of the space. | 02-14-2013 |
20130054096 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING A BUFFETING CONDITION IN A PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF A VEHICLE - A system and method for reducing a buffeting condition in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a blocking member disposed between the passenger compartment and an adjacent space that is configured to move between an open position and a closed position to respectively open and close an opening between the passenger compartment and the adjacent space. The system further includes a motor operatively coupled with the blocking member and configured to move the blocking member between the open position and the closed position. The system still further includes a controller operatively coupled to the motor and configured to control the motor to move the blocking member to alternate between the open position and the closed position at a predetermined rate in response to a triggering event, whereby a buffeting condition experienced in the passenger compartment is diminished. | 02-28-2013 |
20140077758 | APPARATUS FOR INDUCTIVE CHARGING OF PORTABLE DEVICES IN VEHICLES - A portable device recharging system includes a base unit generating an electromagnetic field. A portable device includes a rechargeable battery inductively charged by the electromagnetic field. Spacers are disposed between the portable device and the base unit. The spacers support the portable device and maintain an air gap between the base unit and the portable device. | 03-20-2014 |
20140217194 | Vehicle Anti-Icing and De-Icing Systems and Corresponding Methods of Operation - A system, for inhibiting ice formation on a vehicle surface, and de-icing if determined needed to remove any frozen matter formed on the surface, including an anti-icing reservoir, a fluid-selecting control valve, and code that causes a processor to perform operations including determining whether the vehicle is parked, initiating, if parked, activation of, or obtaining of readouts from, any local sensors or routines to be used to determine whether a condition triggering initiation of an anti-freezing cycle is present. The operations include commencing, if triggered, an anti-icing cycle, including initiating changing of the fluid-selection valve to select the anti-freezing reservoir, and initiating pumping of the anti-icing fluid from the anti-icing reservoir to and through a fluid-dispensing nozzle, and onto the surface for inhibiting bonding of frozen material on the surface and/or remove any already formed frozen material on the surface. | 08-07-2014 |
20140272496 | Micro-Channel Cooling Fin Design Based on an Equivalent Temperature Gradient - A micro-channel cooling fin for a battery module and battery is provided. The cooling fin includes a metal plate assembly that defines a plurality of cooling channels therein. The metal plate assembly includes an inlet section for introducing a coolant into the plurality of cooling channels and an outlet section from which the coolant exits the plurality of cooling channels. Each channel has an output temperature and an input temperature such that the output temperature minus the input temperature for each cooling channel is within a predetermined amount. | 09-18-2014 |
20140293538 | TEMPERATURE REGULATION OF INDUCTIVE CHARGING DEVICES IN EXTREME VEHICLE ENVIRONMENTS - A thermal conditioning system for an inductive charging system. An open enclosure charging unit includes at least one surface generating an electromagnetic field for inductively charging a portable device. A primary conduit coupled to the open enclosure charging unit. The primary conduit outputs conditioned air to the open enclosure charging unit. The conditioned air output by the primary conduit maintains a temperature of the portable device at a predetermined temperature range within the open enclosure charging unit. | 10-02-2014 |